The New York Knicks missed the playoffs for the third season straight this year and frustrations are mounting. Especially for 31 year-old Knicks' star, Carmelo Anthony.
According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News, Melo and Knicks' President Phil Jackson seem to be on completely different wavelengths.
In a recent press conference, Anthony was asked about whether he would stay in New York or head somewhere else in search of winning a title.
Per New York Daily News:
“I think about (leaving New York to win),” Anthony said before catching himself. “The only thing I think about is winning more. Whether it’s here or somewhere else, that’s the only thing I think about. I haven’t thought about putting myself on another team. I haven’t thought about me on another team. I haven’t thought about any of that.”
“My thought process is, ‘How can I make this situation better?’ What can we do to make this situation better? That’s the only thing I’m thinking about.”
The question of where Melo will be next season has been a popular one. Much of it stems from the contradictory statements made by him and Jackson.
When asked who should be taken into consideration for head coaching positions, Anthony stated that he was open to “whoever would come in here and make this a better situation.” Jackson, on the other hand, responded that he was only looking for those candidates who could run his signature triangle offense and that he knew personally.
At 31 years old, Anthony is aware his opportunities to win a championship are numbered and he needs to be a part of a team that can win if he ever wants a ring. He has expressed his desire for the Knicks to go after players in free agency to bring more talent to the team.
While we're not sure what Phil Jackson's plans are as far as free agency is concerned, his perception of Carmelo's desires don't echo statements made by his star player.
“You know, the thing about Carmelo is we came here and had a discussion, it is all about communication and the fact that he wants to stay here,” Jackson said. “Those are two things that are real important to him.”
RELATED: Derek Fisher Says Phil Jackson is ‘Still Learning' How to Be Effective a Knicks' President
With regard to that same discussion, Anthony had this to say:
“People look at that and say, ‘Okay, we’ve made progress.' For me I kind of see it differently…We still haven’t made progress enough to get to the postseason, to get to the playoffs,” Anthony said.
“For my first 10 years in this league I played in the postseason, I played playoff basketball. So to not experience that over the past three seasons it makes you question a lot.”
Let's hope, for Jackson's sake, that he knows what he's doing. If the Knicks were to lose Melo, there would certainly be a lot of questions surrounding Jackson's decision making as a head of the organization rather than the coach.
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